Why we should be supporting doctors’ strike

Published:14:00Tuesday 20 September 2016

p On August 31, while I was breaking up some old wooden frames, I stepped back onto a rusty nail.

It went through my rubber garden shoes and straight into my foot. My wife stopped the bleeding and cleaned the wound. She then telephoned my surgery to find out when I last had a tetanus jab and also to make an appointment to see a doctor (to find out if it needed further treatment).

I was told the earliest available appointment was on September 7 and my alternative was to go to the hospital.

I went to the hospital. No seats available; people standing against the walls; and people standing in the entrance.

I went to reception and asked what the waiting time was. I was told it was between three and four hours. As I could not stand for that amount of time , I went back home.

I left it for several hours and went back to hospital only to find that it did not look any different. So I decided to leave it until the next day.

By the next morning, my foot and toes had swollen up and my foot was bright red.

The doctor’s receptionist offered me two morning appointments and one afternoon one for that day. I saw the doctor and collected my prescription and was home within 45 minutes (two hours of my time wasted

by the surgery).

I now think differently about the doctors’ strike. Those people who hold back appointments are to blame for the increased pressure on hospitals.

They should be helping hospitals instead of putting more pressure on staff and doctors.

Frank Morgan

Reigate Road

Worthing

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